In a bid to make the beloved delicacy more accessible to low-income individuals, sellers in Rajshahi have begun offering sliced hilsa fish.
On Thursday morning, leaders from the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad and the Fishermen's Association inaugurated the sliced hilsa sales at Machhapatti in Saheb Bazar.
Low-income shoppers expressed joy at the opportunity to purchase hilsa after many days, and the response on the first day was overwhelmingly positive.
Prices for hilsa have skyrocketed in recent months, making it a luxury item for many. Now, however, the public can enjoy hilsa at a more affordable rate, thanks to local vendors.
Buyers can purchase a minimum of 250 grams of hilsa, which is priced Tk 200 more per kilogram than whole hilsa.
Shahidul Islam, a customer, shared his thoughts: “I couldn’t buy hilsa before because of the high prices. I heard about this initiative yesterday, and I’m excited to finally taste hilsa again. But the prices are still rising, and that deserves some attention.”
Entaz Ali, another shopper, bought three pieces of hilsa, saying, “I bought three parts for myself and my neighbours. Each part was priced at 500 taka, and I’m happy to have this opportunity.”
Mobarak Hossain, a fish seller at Saheb Bazar, explained, “Customers can opt for whole fish or sliced fish. The demand for sliced fish was particularly high on the first day. However, it costs Tk 200 more per kilogram due to the extra processing involved, like removing the intestines.”
Sekender Ali, general secretary of the Rajshahi Byabasayi Oikya Parishad, emphasised that this initiative addresses long-standing consumer demands, allowing more people to enjoy hilsa.
“Many haven’t eaten hilsa in 10-15 years. This programme was started in response to their complaints, and we saw about 8-10 hilsa sold within the first half hour,” he said.
He added, “We will monitor the availability of sliced hilsa to ensure it remains accessible. If anyone refuses to sell hilsa in this manner, we will take action against them. We will also keep a close watch on pricing.”